Italian Meatball Sliders

These make a fun little dinner and they are full of flavor. I jazzed up a store bought sauce, but you can make a homemade sauce if you’d like. Make a side of pasta to use for the extra sauce. The kids loved these! They thought it was a cool hamburger with lots of ketchup. Enjoy!

Italian Meatball Sliders

3-4 Tablespoons extra virgin olive oil

1 lb lean ground beef
½ Cup finely chopped white onion
¼ Cup packed thinly sliced fresh basil leaves
2 Tablespoons finely chopped sun dried tomatoes, oil packed, drained
2 cloves garlic, minced
½ Cup Italian Seasoned Bread Crumbs (or you can make your own fresh crumbs)
1 teaspoon salt
½ teaspoon pepper
1 Tablespoon Tabasco hot sauce
1 egg
2 Tablespoons milk

Sauce
2 Tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
¼ Cup finely chopped white onion
¼ Cup finely chopped red or green bell pepper
2 Cloves garlic, minced
1 jar of your favorite Pasta Sauce, I used Classico
¼ Cup thinly sliced fresh basil leaves

12 fresh basil leaves
½ Cup fresh grated parmesan cheese

1. Place olive oil into 9×13 inch baking dish and swirl to coat bottom surface. Combine all meatball ingredients in a large bowl until well combined. Take about ¼ Cup handful of meat mixture and roll into ball. Align all into baking sheet.
2. Bake for 25-30 minutes or until cooked through. Half way through bake time, use fork to flip meatballs.
3. Place olive oil into a large skillet or saucepan over medium heat. Saute onion and bell pepper until softened, about 5 minutes. Stir in garlic, sauce and basil leaves. Reduce heat to low and simmer until serving.
4. Brush insides of rolls with extra virgin olive oil and broil for 1-2 minutes or until golden brown.
5. Place a basil leaf onto bottom roll, a meatball, a spoonful of marinara sauce and sprinkle with parmesan cheese. Close with top roll. Enjoy!

Makes about 12 little sliders

Italian Meatball Sliders

These homemade Italian meatball sliders make a fun dinner for kids, or an easy appetizer for entertaining! Easy and saucy, mini meatball sandwiches!
Course: Appetizer
Cuisine: American, Italian
Servings: 12 sliders
Calories: 167kcal
Print

Ingredients

For the Meatballs:

  • 3-4 tbsp extra virgin olive oil
  • 1 lb lean ground beef
  • 1/2 cup white onion finely chopped
  • 1/4 cup fresh basil leaves thinly sliced, packed
  • 2 tbsp sun dried tomatoes drained and finely chopped
  • 2 cloves garlic minced
  • 1/2 cup Italian Seasoned Bread Crumbs

    (or make your own)


  • 1 tsp salt
  • 1/2 tsp pepper
  • 1 tbsp

    Tabasco hot sauce


  • 1 egg
  • 2 tbsp milk

For the Sauce:

  • 2 tbsp extra virgin olive oil
  • 1/4 cup white onion finely chopped
  • 1/4 cup red or green bell pepper finely chopped
  • 2 cloves garlic minced
  • 1 jar pasta sauce (your favorite pasta sauce, I used Classico)
  • 1/4 cup fresh basil leaves thinly sliced

For Serving:

  • 12 fresh basil leaves
  • 1/2 cup fresh grated parmesan cheese

Instructions

  • Place olive oil into 9×13 inch baking dish and swirl to coat bottom surface.
  • Combine all meatball ingredients in a large bowl until well combined. Take about ¼ Cup handful of meat mixture and roll into ball. Align all into baking sheet.
  • Bake for 25-30 minutes or until cooked through. Half way through bake time, use fork to flip meatballs.
  • Place olive oil into a large skillet or saucepan over medium heat. Saute onion and bell pepper until softened, about 5 minutes. Stir in garlic, sauce and basil leaves. Reduce heat to low and simmer until serving.
  • Brush insides of rolls with extra virgin olive oil and broil for 1-2 minutes or until golden brown.
  • Place a basil leaf onto bottom roll, a meatball, a spoonful of marinara sauce and sprinkle with parmesan cheese. Close with top roll. 

Nutrition

Calories: 167kcal | Carbohydrates: 9g | Protein: 12g | Fat: 10g | Saturated Fat: 3g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 1g | Monounsaturated Fat: 6g | Trans Fat: 1g | Cholesterol: 40mg | Sodium: 658mg | Potassium: 395mg | Fiber: 1g | Sugar: 4g | Vitamin A: 393IU | Vitamin C: 6mg | Calcium: 82mg | Iron: 2mg
Keywords: easy appetizer ideas, party food

Related Posts

9 Responses
  1. Cheryl Newton

    Jenny,
    I know by now you’re probably trying to figure out a way to block me from seeing your blog! I thought I had read it from the beginning, but either I’m getting forgetful, or I just missed a bunch of recipes. Everything looks delicious, even stuff I’d never eat because I’m, well, picky! Anywho, what’s the temp for these babies? 350?
    Thanks,
    Cheryl

  2. Jenny

    Proud Italian Cook,
    I actually got the idea for these sliders from your blog. They looked so good, I made my own version.

    I got the rolls at Costco. They are the perfect size. There are a ton of them, so I just put them in ziplocks and freeze them until I need them.

    Thanks for stopping in, I love your blog and I check it often!

  3. Proud Italian Cook

    Jenny, I made meat ball sliders too! Hey were did you get your buns?? Do you have costco there? Thanks, for the link on your blog I just noticed it! You have a really nice blog and I will be back too! Oh, and my 6 yr old grandaughter is a VERY picky eater!! maybe I’ll get some tips from you!!

  4. Jenny

    Hi Emilie,
    Darn, I missed that throwdown with Bobby Flay. Love that show.

    Lisa,
    I’ve accepted the fact that I’ll never be ultra skinny because of how much I like to cook and eat. I better keep working out or I’ll be in trouble!

    You’ll love these sliders and the cupcakes. I’m looking forward to making Stacy’s rolls this week, they sound heavenly! Enjoy!

  5. The Harris Family Daily Chat

    I’d really like to know how you stay thin? I am serious. I know that you REALLY make all the stuff you post. These look so..good Jen. I want to make them and the cupcakes..I LOVE coconut! Great pics.

  6. Mademoiselle Emilie Eats

    These look delicious! This reminds me of the “Throwdown” I just watched. They made meatballs & Bobby lost.

Welcome to Picky Palate!

Picky PalateWelcome to my online kitchen! Picky Palate is where you’ll find family friendly recipes along with the best Disney eats, tips and copycat recipes! Read More...

Recipe Categories

Picky Palate Disney Hungry

Never Miss an Update!

Sign up to get easy recipes or Disney tips delivered to your inbox for FREE!